Benzodiazepines (Urine)

Does this test have other names?

Toxic urine screen, urine toxicology screen

What is this test?

This is a urine test to screen for a class of drugs called benzodiazepines. Benzodiazepines are central nervous system depressants. They are used to sedate patients, help them sleep, prevent seizures, ease anxiety, and relax muscle spasms. These drugs are often informally called tranquilizers, sleeping pills, and muscle relaxants.

Variations in the molecules of different benzodiazepines give each drug specific chemical properties and medical uses.

In addition to medical use, benzodiazepines are sometimes used illegally. Chronic abuse of benzodiazepines can lead to addiction, and combining these drugs with other depressants like alcohol can be fatal. Street names for these drugs include "downers," "benzos," "nerve pills," "candy," and "tranks."

Why do I need this test?

Even if you have been prescribed these drugs, you may need this test if you are showing signs of an overdose. Symptoms of overdose include confusion, slurred speech, loss of muscular coordination, stupor, and unconsciousness. Benzodiazepines can also cause low blood pressure, slow or shallow breathing, and cardiac arrest.

You may also have this test if a health care provider suspects you are abusing these drugs or using them illegally.

If you appear confused, cannot be roused, have seizures, or lose muscle control, you may also have this test as part of an overall urine toxicology screen to check for other commonly abused drugs. These screens vary at different hospitals, but often include tests for cocaine, opioids, amphetamines, barbiturates, benzodiazepines or phencyclidine.

If you are conscious, able to talk with doctors, and willing to cooperate, you can provide information that helps health care providers determine the appropriate test for your situation. For example, if you are a victim of sexual assault, you may have this test to determine whether someone slipped a benzodiazepine date rape drug, such as Rohypnol ("roofie"), into your drink.

You might also be tested if doctors think you have taken benzodiazepines accidentally or in a suicide attempt.

What other tests might I have along with this test?

If you seem to have an altered mental state, doctors will most likely give you a glucose test to check your blood sugar. If you are brought to a hospital showing symptoms of central nervous system depression, such as confusion, slurred speech, seizure, or coma, you may be tested for a variety of drugs, including benzodiazepines.

A benzodiazepine overdose alone is unlikely to cause coma or severe heart or lung function problems. If you have those symptoms, a doctor may screen for other drugs and test for causes of central nervous system depression that are not drug-related.

In addition to ordering a urine test, a doctor may also order a blood test for benzodiazepines. In some situations, it may be more practical to obtain a blood sample than a urine sample. Blood tests are also harder for a patient to alter to hide drug abuse.

Exactly which lab tests you have depends on your physical exam and information about your condition that you are willing and able to provide.

What do my test results mean?

Many things may affect your lab test results. These include the method each lab uses to do the test. Even if your test results are different from the normal value, you may not have a problem. To learn what the results mean for you, talk with your health care provider.

A typical benzodiazepine urine test can detect benzodiazepines or their break-down products, called metabolites.

Although most benzodiazepines show up in standard urine tests, some don't. Alprazolam (Xanax), clonazepam (Klonopin), temazepam (Restoril), and triazolam (Halcion) may not be detected in many of the common tests. Many benzodiazepine tests can find whether the drug is present, but can't give the amount.

Different benzodiazepines have different therapeutic doses, ranging from 0.5 to 50 milligrams (mg). Overdoses of 10 of 20 times the prescribed dose of some benzodiazepines can result in a mild coma, but usually don't cause slow or shallow breathing. Most people recover.

Overdoses of fast-acting benzodiazepines like triazolam (Halcion) are more likely to cause breathing problems and even death.

A drug called flumazenil (Romazicon) may be used as an antidote to the sedative effects of benzodiazepines. it shouldn't be used in people who have been taking benzodiazepines over a long period to control seizures. In such cases, flumazenil could cause potentially fatal withdrawal.

How is this test done?

This test requires a urine sample. Follow your health care provider's instructions for collecting and storing the sample. In some cases, you may have to provide a sample in the presence of a lab employee.

Does this test pose any risks?

This test poses no known risks.

What might affect my test results?

Some other medications can cause a false positive result in benzodiazepine urine tests. These drugs include: